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Grand View
Ingrid Rasmussen

Vertical Expression: Dubai family home by Nakkash Design Studio plays with voluminous scale

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Luxury homes in Dubai are going vertical. A phenomenon that emerged in housing markets around the world a few years ago is now becoming a trend in UAE’s most happening Emirate, with real estate developers buying smaller plots of land and building upwards. 

Award-winning, multi-disciplinary practice Nakkash Design Studio, recently revamped the interiors of one such villa located in Grand Views, a gated community in the heart of Meydan in Mohammed Bin Rashid City, with roof top views of the Dubai skyline and the racecourse. The project was a three-storied, 6-bedroom mansion with an impressive built up area of 6,044 square feet and the owners, a Lebanese family who had recently moved to the UAE. As owners of multiple homes around the world, they wanted their latest addition to be the “most contemporary” of the lot, to fit the vibrant metropolis status of Dubai. 

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The redesign approach focused on softening the glitzy edge and fussy opulence of the existing interiors to create an ambience of muted luxury. The design studio also played on the two mains strengths of the space – its vertical volume and abundance of natural light, to create interiors imbued with timeless elegance.

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Traditional Modernist Home Office 

The guest bedroom in the ground floor has been repurposed into a plush office and library with wood and trims of natural stone, to evoke a sense of traditional luxury. Bold contemporary strokes are introduced through elements such as the Eichholtz swivel chair with an asymmetric backrest (in the brand’s characteristic Mademoiselle beige) and a modernist ivory sculpture from Arteriors. 

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Luminous Lounge 

Natural light is treated as a dynamic feature and an element of luxury in the interiors. 

The tall glass windows are framed by soft, translucent curtains to create a pleasant and flexible indoor-outdoor connection. 

An eclectic family of furniture and lamps from Eichholtz come together to create the lounge experience. The centrepiece, a Vauclair coffee table, lends a graphic appeal with its sleek lines and brushed brass finish, while the Maui table lamp in antique gold breaks the geometry with its botanical form. A pair of oversized lamps with travertine bases stand tall on the side tables, matching the vertical movement of the space. 

The formal lounge naturally demanded a statement lighting piece. Instead of going with a chandelier that would have filled the volume with its monolithic form, the studio proposed a delicate pendant light from Italamp. Inspired by Dali’s most recognizable surrealist painting, the piece with its thermoformed glass in amethyst, green and grey, adds a whimsical touch as it complements the double height space. 

Crafted in composite stone, a series of strategically mounted Catalina sconces from Arteriors fill up with life as it casts a warm and comforting light on the masonry walls. The walls also bear a vibrant selection of abstract art from the client’s private collection. Drawing from the blue domination in the artworks, the studio designed a soothing colour palette for the interiors, mixing shades of blue and beige with dashes of brass.  

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The studio also came up with creative ways to fill the large empty spaces in the exceptionally lofty walls. The blue beige marbled rug in the lounge area, and the dining room installation using glass wall gems from Global Views are two such exceptional works of wall art.

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Dining in Joy

Adjoining the formal living, the dining room paints an idyllic yet joyful picture, thanks to the garden views and the quirky mix of furniture, accessories and art. 

A Natuzzi dining table with a natural stone top takes pride of place at the centre. The 8-seater is laid out with an armchair at the head of the table and seven side chairs, both designed by Carlo Bimbi for Borzalina. A honey onyx bowl from Phillips Collection and the lighting piece, a daintier version of the Dali pendent light from Italamp, complete the main set up.

The space is embellished with striking support characters played by the two side tables: a bespoke half-moon hanging buffet by Nakkash Design Studio and a sideboard with semi-circular handles and concentric wood inlays. The latter serves as the pedestal for an antique bow, a collector’s item acquired by the client during his travels. Two antique vases procured by the studio, sit on podiums on either side, visually balancing the stately bow.

The sunburst wall mirror, an art piece in itself, creates the illusion of a painting as it reflects parts of the pendent lighting and the free-flowing stream of wall gems in shades of lapis blue, copper and light sapphire.

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Cosy Family Space

Comfort is the overriding theme that comes through in the informal living spaces in the upper floors. Case in point is the family’s TV room with its L-shaped cloud couch made extra comfy with cushions and the soft, textured carpet that almost entirely covers the floor. The circular coffee tables with quartzite tops and pouf with graphic X-shaped patterns add elements of visual interest. 

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Bright Outdoors 

The outdoors has been transformed into a neatly landscaped garden, tastefully decorated with sun-friendly, woven furniture from Dedon. Semi-shaded by a pergola, the lounge is made inviting with a pair of chestnut coloured 3-seaters, nesting coffee tables and a couple of Caribbean agaves in Dedon planters. 

Infused with hues of orange and pepper, the outdoor scheme is designed to contrast the blue-beige colour palette of the interiors. A Juju side table designed by Garth Roberts for Serralunga and an abstract sculpture in wood and bronze from Art Attaichi are elements of curiosity. 

Huddled in the corner of the garden, in the shade of a frangipani, olive tree and palm, swings a hanging lounge chair, another favourite from Dedon. 

Overall, the creative and conceptual revamp by Nakkash Design Studio transformed what was a stiff embodiment of “thoroughbred lifestyle”, into a contemporary home that not only celebrates relaxed luxe but also successfully plays with imposing volumes to create interiors that is both warm and human-scale.

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